Report calls for Ofcom to simplify Broadband switching

Report calls for Ofcom to simplify Broadband switching



August 20, 2015

Comparison website firsthelpline.com claims that customers are required to go through a complicated process to change broadband providers, and is calling for Ofcom to intervene.

firsthelpline.com’s report says that broadband switching should be as simple as changing gas or electricity supplier.

The company wants communications regulator Ofcom to treat broadband as a basic utility and ensure that the process of switching broadband providers is brought in line with that of energy customers.

Despite new rules on switching broadband providers introduced by Ofcom last year, Firsthelpline has found that customers are still waiting months for a new connection.

Requests from gas and electricity customers who wish to change providers, must be logged on a central clearing database by the gas and electricity firms. They are then required to deal with the requests within a given period.

However Broadband customers have to ask their supplier for a special migration authorisation code (Mac code). They have to pass this code onto their supplier and the customer is responsible for overseeing the switchover.

Many customers experience problems with moving broadband and incur costs related to sorting the problems out. Many helplines charge for calls, with the average cost of calls around 9p per minute. At an average call length of 17 minutes, costs can soon mount up.

Tim Yeo

Related Posts

Almost 150 million handset sales in China for 2007

Comments Off on Almost 150 million handset sales in China for 2007

PlayStation phones on the horizon?

Comments Off on PlayStation phones on the horizon?

Vodafone takes control of Ghana Telecom

Comments Off on Vodafone takes control of Ghana Telecom

Belgacom selects Alcatel-Lucent to provide VDSL2 network

Comments Off on Belgacom selects Alcatel-Lucent to provide VDSL2 network

Orange targets niche markets with MVNOs

Comments Off on Orange targets niche markets with MVNOs

AIRCOM to Optimise Vinaphone’s GSM 900 Network

Comments Off on AIRCOM to Optimise Vinaphone’s GSM 900 Network

O2 partners with GNE Wyless

Comments Off on O2 partners with GNE Wyless

ISPA Internet Hero and Internet Villain nominations

Comments Off on ISPA Internet Hero and Internet Villain nominations

1,000 WiMAX products expected by 2011

Comments Off on 1,000 WiMAX products expected by 2011

Mobifone boosts network with AIRCOM apps

Comments Off on Mobifone boosts network with AIRCOM apps

Suggestion that whole of the UK should follow Scottish broadband lead

Comments Off on Suggestion that whole of the UK should follow Scottish broadband lead

2008 mobile phone sales in Taiwan to top 7.5 million

Comments Off on 2008 mobile phone sales in Taiwan to top 7.5 million

Create Account



Log In Your Account